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Former teacher avoids prison after admitting to relationship with student

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – A former special education teacher at Woodlan Jr/Sr High School who admitted to having a relationship with a then 17-year-old was sentenced to three years of probation on Tuesday.

Paige Mostella pleaded guilty to a child seduction charge in January. Mostella’s three-year sentence, which is the maximum she could have received, will be suspended and she will serve it on probation. She will also be electronically monitored by community corrections and will have to undergo sex offender counseling.

According to court documents, police began their investigation into Mostella on February 12, 2014 when a then-19-year-old taking a polygraph test told a police officer giving the test that he had been involved in a sexual relationship with a teacher at Woodlan Jr/Sr.High School in early 2013. He was required to take the polygraph test in order to fulfill juvenile probation requirements

In Indiana, a teen 16 or older can consent to engaging in sexual behavior unless it’s with a person in a position of power like a teacher, adoptive parent/grandparent or military recruiter. To see the full law, click here.